Double Din Car Stereo Aftermarket Head Unit / Radio Capable (confirmed by Slate CEO)

[moondawg]

Since the body panels are all plastic, is there a reason an antenna needs to be external? Maybe something in the frunk or under a bed rail would work.

Maybe Safelite will offer an old-school windshield antenna upgrade

 

[SichuanHot]

Since there is so much chatter about installing radios Slate might just surprise us and produce it with a hidden antenna under the plastic roof panel that we can just plug our radio into

That would be some smart engineering and in the spirit of BMW from the 90s. BMW used to integrate the FM and key fob antennas in the rear window with the heating element to create a sleek and elegant profile with no metal antenna going up and down.

 

[skidoofast]

Maybe Safelite will offer an old-school windshield antenna upgrade

 

[skidoofast]

Pretty cheap options on Amazon

 

[moondawg]

That would be some smart engineering and in the spirit of BMW from the 90s. BMW used to integrate the FM and key fob antennas in the rear window with the heating element to create a sleek and elegant profile with no metal antenna going up and down.

GM (and I imagine other makers)had front windshield dipole antennas from at least the early 60's through the late 70's. Very thin wires that ran up the middle of the windshield and then along the top. I feel like they were molded *in* the glass. then the antenna coax made the connection at the base of the windshield and snaked down through a hole in the dash to the radio. Sick setup and sure beat a whip antenna that got caught in a car wash, tree branch, or ripped off by your mortal enemies.

 

[zipn]

This one is just a wire - could probably stick in against the dash aor in the weatherstipping up an "A" pillar.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-System...884&sprefix=windshield+antenna,aps,169&sr=8-9

 

[SichuanHot]

GM (and I imagine other makers)had front windshield dipole antennas from at least the early 60's through the late 70's. Very thin wires that ran up the middle of the windshield and then along the top. I feel like they were molded *in* the glass. then the antenna coax made the connection at the base of the windshield and snaked down through a hole in the dash to the radio. Sick setup and sure beat a whip antenna that got caught in a car wash, tree branch, or ripped off by your mortal enemies.

I didn't know GM did it too so early on. Pretty cool!.

 

[TheShark]

GM (and I imagine other makers)had front windshield dipole antennas from at least the early 60's through the late 70's. Very thin wires that ran up the middle of the windshield and then along the top. I feel like they were molded *in* the glass. then the antenna coax made the connection at the base of the windshield and snaked down through a hole in the dash to the radio. Sick setup and sure beat a whip antenna that got caught in a car wash, tree branch, or ripped off by your mortal enemies.

I remember those, my father had one on his '72 Buick. I always thought it was a good idea but I think people ended up complaining about reception, only lasted a few years.

 

[zipn]

I remember those, my father had one on his '72 Buick. I always thought it was a good idea but I think people ended up complaining about reception, only lasted a few years.

Horizontal dipole antennas have nulls in free space. signals are strongest hitting the antenna from the sides and poor coming at it from the ends. Vertical antennas are more omnidirectional. In the real world signals get reflected and bounce around a bit, so it’s not exact, but a vertical antenna is probably best for mobile applications.

 

[cvollers]

Horizontal dipole antennas have nulls in free space. signals are strongest hitting the antenna from the sides and poor coming at it from the ends. Vertical antennas are more omnidirectional. In the real world signals get reflected and bounce around a bit, so it’s not exact, but a vertical antenna is probably best for mobile applications.

I have a good old fashioned vertical antenna on my FJ…works quite well.

 

[sreeb]

Having an entertainment system un-integrated with all of the car functions is great from my perspective.

Everytime I look at a modern car, I think about how, in 5 years, it is going to suck to have an expensive single source part that I can't replace sitting in the middle of my dash.

 

[crownmountain]

I am going with an IPad and a BT or USB speaker. IOS and Android have radio apps. Wait I have a better idea an IPad and 2 HomePOD mini's. The Android crowd can do the same thing with a couple Echo's. Now for the 110v inverter.....

 

[Blackspots76]

GM (and I imagine other makers)had front windshield dipole antennas from at least the early 60's through the late 70's. Very thin wires that ran up the middle of the windshield and then along the top. I feel like they were molded *in* the glass. then the antenna coax made the connection at the base of the windshield and snaked down through a hole in the dash to the radio. Sick setup and sure beat a whip antenna that got caught in a car wash, tree branch, or ripped off by your mortal enemies.

My parent's 1979 Plymouth Volarie station wagon had the antenna in the windshield as well.

 

[Saint Alban]

I am going with an IPad and a BT or USB speaker. IOS and Android have radio apps. Wait I have a better idea an IPad and 2 HomePOD mini's. The Android crowd can do the same thing with a couple Echo's. Now for the 110v inverter.....

I was thinking something like this would work. The stand comes off. I could probably find someone to 3D print me a mount once I see what slates phone holder mount looks like.

 

[skidoofast]

Definitely a possibility, I plan on 3d printing as much as I can for my needs,